Spirit Warriors: A clan shall rise

Chapter 9: The elder's meeting



Eirik chuckled dryly, hearing his father's words. It was most probably true, but luckily for him, his mother was a great healer.

His father took a step closer to the bed, with a serious and solemn look on his face as he asked, "You told me that you faced a Bone-Billed Raptor? Tell me the details and don't leave anything out!" 

Eirik knew from his father's tone that he would need to report in full, so he did. He explained his whole journey from the foot of the woods until reaching the stone and from the stone back to the village.

By the end of his story, his father's brows were furrowed in concern.

"What is it father?" Eirik asked, curiosity igniting within him.

"I hope it's nothing. I will need to speak with the elders first, but… for now, let's talk about your spirit blessing." His father smiled, pride flashing in his eyes as he gave his son a good glance.

"Hehe, well. I don't know much yet, all I know is it is on the Vorrharn path and seemed to be a wind wolf blessing," he smiled as he spoke.

"A wind wolf! That's great, you've been blessed by a rare spirit! Haha! Great!" Hjarn burst out in laughter of pure joy and glee. His eyes sparkled as he cheered for Eirik's fortune.

"But father, something's strange about it." Eirik's next words cut his father's laughter abruptly. "I say it's a wind wolf, but I'm not entirely sure."

Hjarn's laughter died down, and concern etched on his face as he listened to Eirik speak.

"This spirit introduced himself as Ulthri, Wind-Walker." he spoke slowly, his brows furrowing as he continued. "Aren't Faenrith and Movak the only wind wolf spirits?"

Hearing his question, Hjarn gave a bitter sigh. A chuckle followed, "Son, we only know of those two because they are well known in the kingdom of Varnagard. In this world, there could be countless other wind wolves." 

Hjarn seemed relieved as he spoke, his concern vanished seeing that it was only this that was strange. If the blessing was strange and seemed rather dark… Hjarn wouldn't know what he would do if that were the case.

"But he also said something strange as he spoke. Father, he introduced himself as Ulthri Wind Walker, Guardian of Vorrharn, Eldvorn spirit of the Old Wolf Path." Eirik relayed the words as Ulthri had spoken them.

His gaze turned to his father, hoping for answers, only to see his father's expression frozen. His normal expressions seemed to have completely crumbled as he asked hesitantly, "Are you sure he introduced himself as an Eldvorn spirit?"

Eirik took a moment before nodding in certainty.

"What here, I need to speak to the elders immediately. Your mother is out for now but should return soon." his father hurriedly stood up and walked out, leaving Eirik bewildered by his father's strange behaviour.

"I'm sure everything will be fine, and since I can't leave the bed yet… let's see my blessing!" A genuine smile bloomed on his face as he sat still in a meditating pose and closed his eyes.

***

Inside the central house of the village, a group of seven people was gathered: Hjarn, the Thane, and five elders. They occupied a room large enough for 30 people to gather in. Hjarn was standing in the center of the room. Thane Halrik was seated on a higher seat in front whilst the elders were lined on both sides of Hjarn with an open seat on his left - his seat.

"Are you sure that was what the boy said?" an aged voice asked.

Hjarn turned to face Elder Velko, the short but stubborn old man. "Yes, that was his words."

A commotion broke out as soon as Hjarn confirmed it. All the elders spoke up in unison, trying to speak over one another.

"That shouldn't be possible!"

"And Eldvorn's spirit hasn't been seen since the early days of Varnagard. How come one would appear here?" a strong voice reasoned, his voice no less soft than the stubborn old man Velko.

"Aye, maybe so, but what happens if others know of this? Our village won't be able to handle the consequences! Just imagine those beings finding this out!" one voice, much sweeter and more melodic, sounded out, drowning the other voices.

The other elders who were busy mumbling and exclaiming quieted down as the woman spoke. 

Seeing the elders quiet down, Elder Rilka Tharneva, as she is known, spoke up once more, her gaze wandering over each elder before landing on Thane Halrik.

"We wished that every youngster would gain the right to cultivation, and we have a few, much more than in previous years. It should have been a blessing, but Thane, as you well know, if what Eirik says to be true… then it would more likely be a curse… one that would put both him and the whole village in danger." She spoke slowly, but her words were measured.

"Hmm, a most precarious situation indeed. What you say is true, and I fear even if we were to spread the truth of his spirit blessing, not even those lords from house Dunveth would be able to protect him from the Corrupted Ones." Thane Halrik continued, leaning on his armrests as he pondered.

"What are we going to do then? As soon as this gets out, we won't be able to protect him or the village," another of the elders spoke. He calmly turned to the others, eyeing them carefully.

Hjarn stood silently, watching the other elders speak over the matter. A thoughtful expression appeared on his face; this was a dilemma that had never happened before.

"But are we even sure that this is true? What if his spirit isn't at that level and we are only overreacting?" an elder spoke, his name was Maerun, and he was by far the most senior of the elders. His question was valid, and even if what Eirik said about the Eldvorn spirit was true, they had never seen one before.


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